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Today, we remember the events of June 6, 1944, which came to be known historically as D-Day. Originally called Operation Overlord with the assault operation codenamed Operation Neptune, the D-Day landing by Allied Forces on the beaches of Normandy, France was the largest seaborne invasion in history.
That day, under the leadership of General Dwight Eisenhower, 160,000 Allied troops, primarily from the United States, Canada and Great Britain, crewed more than 5000 ships and 13,000 aircraft. It was the beginning of the end of World War II.
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We at PCL honor the veterans of WWII, as well as all those who have served to protect our freedoms!
Peninsula Community Library is a busy place this summer! Please note that free Covid-19 testing kits are available near the circ desk. You may take up to five per household. We also still have vaccination card protectors available.
Our Seed Library is open and is housed in our old card catalog in the foyer! Help yourself, and be sure to bring us more seeds from your harvest come fall! Let’s keep it going!
Upcoming Events
June 13, 6:30 p.m. – Ahh, Savannah! Author and traveler Karen Rieser takes us on a tour of the charming city often called the Hostess City of the South.
June 21, 2 p.m. – Local History Talk. Join Tim Carroll and special guests, including 3rd graders from Old Mission Peninsula School, to hear more about the tales and drawings from the activity book “Once Upon a Peninsula.” Copies will be available for purchase!
June 23, 6:30 p.m. – Job App. Join Danni, a counselor from Michigan Works, to learn how to create a resume that will get attention! A great program for all who need a refresher on resumes, this is perfect for those high school and college graduates looking to land their first job. Call to reserve a spot or email me, [email protected].
June 26, 11-3 – Log Cabin Day. Look for PCL staff at the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society’s annual celebration. Stay tuned to Old Mission Gazette for details. Happy 30th birthday, OMPHS!
July 25, 3 p.m. – Lecture Series. In collaboration with the University of Michigan, we are proud to sponsor a series of programs with physician experts the world over in their fields. The July 25 event features Dr. Henry Paulson, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center (MADC) and Co-Director of the University of Michigan Protein Folding Diseases Initiative. While not required, please RSVP, (231) 223-7700, if you can so that we may plan for parking and chairs as U of M is sending invites to its alumni!
Summer Reading Club, Kids’ Book Club & Summer Solstice Concert
Oceans of Possibility. July at PCL means SUMMER READING CLUB! This year’s theme abounds with imagination and rewards for patrons of all ages. Kids’ programs are offered in the Children’s Garden on July Tuesdays at 11 a.m. with visits from a pirate and mermaid! Pick up a brochure with a schedule and log beginning next week. Multi-age programs during the month include:
- July 7, 6:30 p.m. Storyteller Jenifer Straus
- July 19, 11 a.m. Peninsula Township Fire Department for safety skills & hose play
- July 26, 6:30 p.m. Musicians Miriam Pico & Ryan Younce
August 13, 10 a.m. – Chapter Champs! Our book club for kids grades 3-5 invites boys and girls to join us Saturday, August 13 at 10 a.m. at the Lighthouse Beach for a fun book discussion and crafts. The book, “The Secret Lake” by Karen Inglis, will be available on a first come basis beginning June 27. Please let us know your child is participating when you pick up the book! Reading is summer fun!
Best Friends Forever! Friends of PCL Are Busy!
June 21, 5-7 p.m. – Summer Solstice Concert with the Happy Time Banjos and complimentary ice cream. Bring chairs and a picnic, if you like.
Sept. 24 – Local Artists Fair. Email [email protected] for artist fees and table info.
From Book Sale Chair Marcia Decker: “The used book donations for the Friends’ Annual Sale have been steadily increasing. Thanks to all community members for the volume of volumes! Remember all donations are accepted on the first and third Mondays of the month (except July 4), 4 – 6 p.m. in the Carriage House. Our 2022 Sale is scheduled to begin on Friday, August 12. To facilitate sorting and stacking, the LAST DAY for book, puzzle, CD and/or DVD drop-offs is Monday, July 18. As always, the Friends appreciate your support.” Thanks to you, Marcia, for taking this on!
The Regulars
- Men’s Group gathers the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.
- Gentle Yoga happens Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. for a small fee.
- Story Stew for preschoolers is offered the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month at 11 a.m., except in July when Summer Reading Club is offered on a different schedule.
- Reading Dog Lani is on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- Threads meets Mondays, 10-noon – bring a project, work among friends!
- Local History talks happen on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m.
- Pageturners Book Club meets on the 3rd Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Books are available on a first come basis.
- Pick Up and Take Out. Kids pick up bags with crafts & activities are available the 1st & 3rd weeks.
- Adult craft bags are available the 2nd week of the month – while supplies last! Craft bags offered in July are related to Summer Reading Club on a different schedule.
What was the significance of the term D-Day? Many people over the ensuing decades have offered up their own meaning, from determination day to doomsday.
In actuality, the “D” merely stands for “day” and was a coded designation used to describe the first day of any important military operation. For military strategists, a plus or minus sign was used to show days before or after the military operation. D-3 meant three days before the operation. D+5 meant five days after.
The invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 was not the only D-Day of the war, but it was the turning point.
I leave you with this quote by First Lieutenant Richard Winters who parachuted into Normandy in the early hours of June 6, 1944: “I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, ‘Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?’ Grandpa said, ‘No, but I served in a company of heroes.'”
On rainy days like today, feel free to come check out a book or movie, or help yourself to a puzzle!
–Vicki Shurly, PCL Director
SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.
Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette
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